Fine dress and evening sandal with variable color and ornamentation

ABSTRACT

A shoe, such as a fine dress or evening sandal or slide, has interchangeable appearance. The shoe includes a sole. Tab indentations are formed in the sole. A fixed strap is secured to the sole as part of the shoe upper. The fixed strap extends across a width of the sole, in order to accommodate a wearers foot atop the sole. The fixed strap has a first adhering surface. A separate cover strap for the shoe has a second adhering surface. The cover strap is formed with end tabs. The cover strap is removably connected to the first adhering surface of the fixed strap by contacting the first and second adhering surfaces. The end tabs of the cover strap fit in the tab indentations of the sole. The shoe has appearance of an upper, comprised of the fixed strap and the cover strap, secured to the sole. The cover strap is removable, however, and interchangeable with other cover straps, such as to change color, ornamentation and so forth of the upper of the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to quality footwear and, moreparticularly, relates to changeable vamp color and ornamentation ofdress and evening sandals or the like.

Fine dress and evening sandals and slides include soles, which caninclude a variety of sole and heal designs, and uppers, which caninclude a variety of straps connected to the soles and for containing awearer's foot. The upper straps of these fine sandals and slides haveincluded a variety of colors, configuration, and ornamentation. Becausesuch fine dress and evening footwear is typically for active wear,including dancing, strolling, and so forth, the upper straps havegenerally been firmly attached to the soles.

In the past, others have contemplated various shoe designs in which ashoe upper is replaceably attached to a shoe sole. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 4,461,102 of DeVincentis describes a shoe with interchangeablestraps as the upper, having spring connectors to attach the straps tothe shoe sole. Other designs have included various snap attachmentsincorporated in or with the sole, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,684 to Lindescribes a detachable toe strap and ankle strap, having locatingmembers which are serrated plug holes of the sole and matching serratedtongues of the straps, wherein the tongue meets with the plug hole andis retained by the matching serrations; U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,058 to Jneiddescribes detachable straps with snaps for mating with snap counterpartsattached along an edge of a sole; and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No.US 2004/0,128,859 of Cambronero describes a sole formed with indentsalong edges to accommodate replaceable straps with end rivets forlodging into the indents to secure the straps.

Each of these designs is not particularly suitable for most fine dressand evening strap sandals and slides. For example, replaceable strapscan tend to become undone in use. Also, the appearance of the shoes withthe replaceable straps has certain appearance with the bulky and juttingsnaps, connectors and the like. Because most fine dress and eveningsandals and slides tend to be sleek and slim in appearance, and tend tobe sufficiently sturdy to permit the active nature of the wearer inusing them, these designs are not favorable.

Other shoe designs have included various attachable overlays to strapsand upper surfaces. Certain of these designs have provided forinterchangeable overlays that attach to the straps or other uppersurfaces by Velcro™ or other releasable fasteners. These designs aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,359 to Bricker as includinginterchangeable shoe strap covers, for altering the decorative look of ashoe, by securing selected covers to the strap by hook and loop fastenerattached to each of the strap and the cover. Others have similarlydescribed interchangeable strap covers for shoes, such as in U.S. PatentPub. No. US2004/0,093,765 of Baldwin describing a flip-flop type sandalwith a shoe upper having an outer surface including one part of areleasable attachment system and shoe covers that have the dimensions ofthe upper and a second part of the releasable attachment system forattachment to the upper; and US2005/0,066,550 of Liu also describing ashoe upper that has a top surface of releasable fasteners to which covermembers can attach.

These designs are also generally unsuitable for fine dress and eveningsandal and slide shoes for women, particularly because they leaveexposed rough edges and seams that can be caught and pulled when worn.Moreover, women tend to prefer seamless and sleek appearance of theirfine dress and evening sandals and slides. The rough edges and seams,where covers attach at sides to the shoe upper in the designs, do nothave this seamless, sleek appearance. Moreover, ends of strap covers,Velcro™ and similar attachment means, and the like in these designs havethese problems and lack desirable appearance in use.

It would, therefore, be a significant improvement in the art andtechnology to provide a fine dress and evening shoe with desirableappearance and usability, and that is changeable as to the upper tocoordinate colors, styles, and appearance of the shoe. The presentinvention provides numerous advantages and improvements, includingimprovements and nuances in the foregoing respects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is a shoe. The shoe includes a soleforming tab indentations, a fixed strap secured to the sole, having afirst adhering surface, and a cover strap having end tabs for locatingin the tab indentations of the sole and having a second adhering surfaceengageable to the fixed strap on the first adhering surface.

Another embodiment of the invention is a shoe. The shoe includes a topof a magnetically active material, a cover of a correspondingmagnetically active material connected to the top, a tab extending fromthe cover, and a receptacle for the tab, connected to the top.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a shoe. The shoe includes atop having a first adherable surface, a cover having a second adherablesurface for adhering to the first adherable surface, a sole connected tothe top, and a portion of the cover removably connectable to the sole.

Another embodiment of the invention is a shoe having an interchangeableappearance. The shoe includes a sole with an indentation, an upper fixedto the sole, a tabbed piece fittable within the indentation.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of manufacturing ashoe. The method includes forming a sole with a formed space in a top ofthe sole, attaching a fixed upper to the sole securely in the formedspace, and providing a cover adherable to the fixed upper and having atab fittable within the formed space of the sole.

Another embodiment of the invention is a kit. The kit includes a shoehaving an upper and a sole, the sole having a crevice and the upperincluding a fixed part secured to the sole in the crevice, and aplurality of covers replaceably attachable to the fixed part andremovably at least partially insertable into the crevice of the sole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the accompanying figures, in which like referencesindicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front and side perspective view of a shoe, havingan upper and a sole, the upper including a fixed strap and a cover strapremovably attached to the fixed strap, and the sole including insertholes in which tabs of the cover strap are located, according to certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front, cross-sectional view along line A-A′ of theshoe of FIG. 1, the fixed strap (in phantom) being secured in the insertholes of the sole (in phantom), the cover strap being removably attachedto the fixed strap and having end tabs extended into the insert holes,according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front, cross-sectional view along line A-A′ of theshoe of FIG. 1, substantially the same as the view of FIG. 2, with thecover strap (in phantom) removably attached to the fixed strap, thefixed strap secured to the sole in the insert holes, and end tabs of thecover strap extended into the insert holes, according to certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the cover strap of the shoe of FIGS.1-3, the cover strap being flattened in elongated display, with the endtaps at opposing extents of the cover strap, according to certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the shoe of FIG. 1, with the coverstrap detached from attachment to the fixed strap and with the end tabsdislocated from the insert holes, according to certain embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged partial of the front and side perspectiveview of the shoe of FIG. 1, detailing an edge and base part of the sole,the insert hole formed between the edge and the base part and the fixedstrap secured therein, with the cover strap attached to the fixed strapand the end tab of the cover strap extending into the insert hole,according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the enlarged partial of the shoe ofFIG. 6, detailing the edge and the base part of the sole forming theinsert hole, the fixed strap secured therein, and the cover strapattached to the fixed strap and the end tab of the cover strap extendedinto the insert hole, according to certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front and side perspective view of another shoe,having an upper and a sole different than the sole of the shoe of FIG.1, the upper including a fixed strap and a cover strap removablyattached to the fixed strap, and the sole including indents formed inthe edges of the sole, with the fixed strap bending into securedlocation in the indents and tab ends of the cover strap also bent andsituation in the indents of the sole, according to certain embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front, cross-sectional view along line C-C′ of theshoe of FIG. 8, the fixed strap being secured in the indents in theedges of the sole and bending at the sole across the width of the sole,the cover strap being removably attached to the fixed strap and havingthe tab ends bent into and seated in the indents of the sole, accordingto certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative of the view of the shoe of FIG. 9,the sole being a single piece formed with indents in edges of the sole,and the fixed strap and the cover strap attached together across thewidth of the sole, with the fixed strap secured in the indents and tabends of the cover strap inserted in the indents, according to certainembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a fine shoe 100 generally includes a sole 102 andan upper 104. For purposes of the following description, the term “sole”is used to refer to the part of the shoe 100 on which a wearer standsunderlying the foot (including, for example, any insole, arch support,or similar matter which the foot touches) and the term “upper” is usedto refer to any other part of the shoe appearing above the sole. Thereare typically two types of sole of fine dress and evening sandals andslides, and the sole 102, as hereafter further described, is one suchtype (the other type is the sole 802 in FIG. 8, later discussed).

The sole 102 of the shoe 100 includes a base part 106 that includes aforefoot portion and a heel portion. The heel portion can be any of awide variety of styles, including, for example, flat, platform, wedge,and others. The particular heel style of the shoe 100 is not critical tothe present description. However, of import to the description herein,is the particularity of the outer edges of the sole 102. The sole 102 ofthe shoe 100 has an outer edge 108 that attaches to the base part 106.This outer edge 108 is attached to the edges of the base part 106, forexample, by adhesives, stitching, incorporation via formation with thebase part 106, or other, and provides an outer desired appearance forthe shoe. For example, fine dress and evening sandals and slides oftenhave leather, synthetic leather, latex, or other makeup, that gives theshoe 100 certain outward fine appearance, color, and ornamentation.

A fixed strap 110 of the shoe 100, or other upper 104, is secured to thebase part 106 and covered at secured ends thereof by the edge 108. Forexample those secured ends of the fixed strap 110 are sewn, glued, orotherwise fixedly attached to the base part 106. The edge 108 covers thesecurement of the fixed strap 110 to the base portion 106, to give asleek and refined outward appearance of the shoe 100, without exposingthe secured ends of the fixed strap.

In FIG. 1, the fixed strap 110 is formed with an outward (i.e., upwardin FIG. 1) magnetically active first part. The fixed strap 110 is, forexample, a flexible plastic, leather, cloth or other similar materialand comprises either a magnetically active outward coating or is formedentirely of magnetically active material. In the shoe 100, the fixedstrap 110 forms a first part of a magnetically active surface forconnection to a second part of a magnetically active surface, as heredetailed.

The second part comprises a cover strap 112 that also has a magneticallyactive undersurface, via which the cover strap 112 is magneticallyattachable to the magnetically active outward surface of the fixed strap110. Another surface of the cover strap 112 is a fine material, such asleather, plastic, synthetic, or other and can include various filigree,ornamentation, style, design, color, and configuration. In the shoe 100,the cover strap 112 is outwardly exposed when attached to the fixedstrap 110. The cover strap 112 provides a desired appearance for theshoe 100 in use. The cover strap 112, because magnetically attached tothe fixed strap 110, rather than permanently secured thereto, can beinterchanged with a variety of styles and designs of the cover strap112.

To give the shoe 100 a sleek and refined appearance in use, the coverstrap 112 is formed with opposing end tabs 114. The shoe 100, unlike aconventional shoe with an edge of the sole entirely secured to the solebase part, includes a formed space 116 (shown in detail in laterFigures) to receive and accept the end tabs 114 when the cover strap 112is magnetically attached to the fixed strap 110. The formed space 116 issituated between the edge 108 and the base part 106 and, within verylimited tolerance, maintains the end tabs 114 to appear as though thecover strap 112 is formed integral with the base part 106 and the edge108.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-section 200 along lines A-A′ of FIG. 1,illustrates the cover strap 112 in place as magnetically attached to thefixed strap 110 (in phantom). Relative dimensions in FIG. 2 are notintended to necessarily be indicative of the particular relative sizeand look of the sole 102, upper 104 and relevant elements; rather, thearrangement of those pieces is generally (but not necessarily) enlargedin the illustration to show the associations. The sole 102 includes thebase part 106 and the edge 108 around edges of the base part 106.Between the base part 106 and the edge 108, in locations of the fixedstrap 110 securement, the base part 106 and the edge 108 are slightlyseparated as the formed space 106. This slight separation that is theformed space 106 accommodates the fixed strap 110 as it is secured tothe base part 106. Also, the formed space 106 includes sufficientseparation between the base part 106 and the edge 110 to accommodate theend tabs 114 of the cover strap 112.

In FIG. 2, the formed space 106 appears as an edgewise indentation ofthe base part 106 at the location for the fixed strap 110 and the endtabs 114 of the attached cover strap 112. However, such an indentationis not necessarily required, and minimal separation of the base part 106and the edge 108 at these locations can alternately merely be formed byallowing a slight bulge in the edge 108 sufficient to accommodate theend tabs 114 between the edge 108 and the base part 106. Of course, theparticularities of the formed space 106 will depend upon the thicknessesof the fixed strap 110 and the attached cover strap 112. The end tabs114 can also be tailored to be of lesser thickness than other portionsof the cover strap 112, if desired. In any event, the resulting attachedcover strap 112 and the fixed strap 110 yield a relatively uniformextension appearance from between the base part 106 and the edge 108, asmay be desired for the shoe style and design, such that the cover strap112 appears as merely integral with the fixed strap 110 in attachment tothe sole 102.

As previously mentioned, the end tabs 114 eliminate exposed ends of thecover strap 112 that would otherwise be visible and exposed (e.g., andtend to be uneven, subject to catching on externalities, and the like).Moreover, the end tabs 114 give an external appearance consistent withthe seamless, refined look typically desired in fine dress and eveningstyles.

Referring to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIG. 2, a similar cross-section300 along line A-A′ of FIG. 1, illustrates the cover strap 112 (inphantom) in place as magnetically attached to the fixed strap 110. Thebase part 106 and the edge 108 around edges of the base part 106comprise the sole 102. The base part 106 and the edge 108 are slightlyseparated as the formed space 106. Within the formed space 106,extensions of the fixed strap 110 are permanently secured to the basepart 106, for example, by stitching, glue, combination, or other means.

The slight separations between the base part 106 and the edge 108, inlocations of the fixed strap 110 securement, that are the formed space106, include space between the secured fixed strap 110 and the edge 108sufficient to accommodate the end tabs 114 of the cover strap 112. Whenthe cover strap 112 is magnetically attached to the fixed strap 110 (asshown in phantom in FIG. 3), the end tabs 114 extend into the formedspace 106 and are maintained therein. Although it is not contemplated asa requirement of the shoe 100, certain retainers within the area of theformed space 106 for accommodating the end tabs 114 could includevarious serrations, plugs, hooks, or other releasable attachments inorder to more sturdily hold the end tabs 114 in the area of the formedspace 106. Generally, such additional releasable attachments are notrequired, even with the active wear of the shoe 100, because themagnetic attachment of the cover strap 112 coupled with the retained endtabs 114 adequately maintains the cover strap 112 in place over thefixed strap 110. In fact, the uniqueness of the shoe 100 includes that,even in quite active wear and in which the shoe 100 may be rubbedagainst externalities, the lack of exposed end portions of the coverstrap 112 avoid any catching of the strap and the magnetic attachment issufficiently strong to prevent any lateral displacement from engagementwith the fixed strap 110.

Although repetitive, it is notable that, although the formed space 106appears as an edgewise indentation of the base part 106 at the locationfor the fixed strap 110 and the end tabs 114 of the attached cover strap112, such indentation is not required. Instead, the minimal separationof the base part 106 and the edge 108 at these locations can be formedby providing, in manufacture, a slight space between the edge 108 andthe base part 106 sufficient that the end tabs 114 are pushable into thespace when attaching the cover strap 112.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cover strap 400 includes an elongate portion 402and respective end tab portions 404, 406. Thicknesses and materials ofthe cover strap 400 are any of the wide variety previously mentioned.Moreover, as previously mentioned, the cover strap 400 is sized toextend via the elongate portion 402 over the entire extent of the fixedstrap 110 (shown in FIGS. 1-3) of the shoe 100, between each attachmentlocation of the fixed strap 110 to the sole 102. However, the particularwidth dimensions along edges of the elongate portion 402 other than theend tab portions 404, 406, need not fully conform to correspondingsurfaces of the fixed strap 110. For example, the cover strap 400 couldhave arced edges at the widths, filigreed or ornamented edges, larger orsmaller width over the elongate portion 402, or other configuration.Moreover, the cover strap 400 can be a plurality of parts that are fixedtogether to form the elongate portion 402, such as two halves tidestogether as with laces of shoes or so forth. A surface of the coverstrap 400 must have the magnetically active surface, however, the otherside surface of the cover strap 400 can include all possibleornamentation, studs, jewels, colors, design artwork, and other desiredshoe appearance.

Referring to FIG. 5, the front 500 of the shoe 100 of FIG. 1 has thecover strap 114 not engaged with the fixed strap 112, but located abovethe fixed strap 112 as when placing the cover strap 114 for magneticattachment to the fixed strap 112. The arrow B indicates direction ofmovement of the cover strap 114 to magnetically attach it to the fixedstrap 112. The edge 108 is secured along the base part 106. The formedspace 116 is open at the top (in FIG. 5) to receive the tabs 114 (or404, 406 in the other Figures). As seen in phantom, the formed space 116at each side between the fixed strap 110 and the edge 108 is suitablefor insertion of the tabs 114 (or 404, 406). The top surface (in FIG. 5)of the fixed strap 110 is a first part of a magnetically active surface,and the bottom surface (in FIG. 5) of the cover strap 112 (or 402) is asecond part of the magnetically active surface. Of course, engage of thetop surface of the fixed strap 110 with the bottom surface of the coverstrap 112 (or 402) attaches the pieces because of the magneticattraction.

Referring to FIG. 6, a partial perspective view of a side 600 of theshoe 100 of FIG. 1, illustrates an enlarged view of a location ofsecurement of the fixed strap 110 with the base part 106. The edge 108is secured to the base part 106. The formed space 116 is between theedge 108 and the base part 106 in the each location of the securement ofthe fixed strap 110. The cover strap 112 is magnetically engaged on thefixed strap 110. The end tab 114 of the cover strap 112 is locatedwithin the formed space 116 between the fixed strap 110 outer surfaceand the edge 108 inner surface.

Referring to FIG. 7, a partial top view of a top 700 of the shoe 100 ofFIG. 1, corresponding to the partial view of FIG. 6, illustrates theformed space 116 that is entered by the end tab 114 of the cover strap112. The fixed strap 110 abuts the base part 106 along the edge thereofat the location of the fixed strap 110 securement. The edge 108 abutsthe base part 106 along the edge thereof at other locations, and at thelocation of the fixed strap 110 securement, the formed space maintainsthe cover strap 112.

Referring to FIG. 8, another type of fine dress and evening shoe 800 isdistinguishable from the shoe 100 of FIG. 1 because a sole 802 does notnecessarily have an edge (e.g., for example, the edge 100 of FIG. 1).Rather the sole 802 is a single solid form or otherwise there is not anysuch edge that can provide a sleek and refined appearance (at least notpractically do so) if the upper 804 is located in the seam between anyedge and any base part (as with the shoe 100 of FIG. 1). For example, itis possible that an edge of a base part can have a laminar or otheredge. However, any formed space between such type of edge and the basepart would appear outwardly lump-like or irregular. In such instance,design and appearance preferences dictate different requirements for acover strap 812 and a tab hole 816 (i.e., functionally like the formedhole 106 of the shoe 100 of FIG. 1) of the shoe 800.

In the shoe 800, a fixed strap 810 is securely attached to the sole 802within the tab hole 816. The shoe 800 has an insole 808 or similartopping or cover fixed atop a bottom part 806 of the sole 802. Betweenthe insole 808 and the bottom part 806, the fixed strap 810 is locatedin the tab hole 816 which is formed between the insole 808 and thebottom part 806 (substantially the same or similar to the way the formed106 of the shoe 100 of FIG. 1 is formed by spacing between the base part106 and the edge 108 there; that is, space sufficient to accommodate thefixed strap secured therein and also to accommodate end tabs of a coverstrap with minimal tolerance). Moreover, adjacent the fixed strap 810between the insole 808 and the bottom part 806 the tab hole 816 isspaced to permit location of an end tab 814 of the cover strap 812. Inthis instance, the end tab 814 forms a bend in the cover strap 812 atthe location of the tab hole 816. The end tab 814 fits within the tabhole 816, in a manner underlying at least a portion of the fixed strap810 where the fixed strap 810 is secured to the bottom part 806. Thefixed strap 810 is secured to the bottom part 806 within the tab hole816, for example, because the fixed strap 810 extends farther into thetab hole 816 (than the end tab 814) and is attached therein clear of theend tab 814 when located therein, or otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 9, a front cross-section 900 along line C-C′ of theshoe 800 of FIG. 8 illustrates the bottom part 806 and the insole 808fixed atop the bottom part 806. Between the bottom part 806 and theinsole 808, at locations of securement of the fixed strap 810 to thebottom part 806, the fixed strap 810 extends into the tab hole 816between the insole 808 and the bottom part 806. As just explained, thetab hole 816 additionally includes adequate additional space toaccommodate the end tab 814 of the cover strap 812 lodged between thesurface of the fixed strap 810 and the bottom part 806. The cover strap812 includes a first magnetically active surface that attaches to asecond magnetically active surface of the fixed strap 810, in the manneras has been previously discussed. The cover strap 812, via the placementof the end tabs 814 thereof in the tab hole 816 and engagement of therespective magnetically active surfaces of the fixed strap 810 and thecover strap 812, sufficiently secures the assembly for active wear anduse. Moreover, the described features provide sleek, refined appearanceand no exposed or catchable ends of the cover strap 812 outwardlyremain.

Referring to FIG. 10, if a shoe 1000 similar to that of FIG. 8 does notinclude an insole 808 or the like, then a bottom part 1006 of the shoe1000 is formed with tab insets 1016 in which are locatable end tabs 1014of a cover strap 1012. For example, some wooden, plastic, composite orother soles may be formed of a single piece (or the like) and thewearer's foot may directly impact the sole (rather than excesscushioning, insole or similar). In such instance, the same principlesare applied in that the cover strap 1012 magnetically engages the fixedstrap 1016. The fixed strap 1016 is attached to the bottom part 1006,within the tab insets 1016. The tab insets 1016 include space adjacentthe fixed strap 1016 and between the fixed strap 1016 as secured and thebottom part 1006 within the tab insets 1016.

In operation, the foregoing embodiments of shoes, and variationsthereof, various cover straps can be interchanged to obtain a desiredshoe outer upper appearance. For example, various colored, or otherwiseornamented or shaped, cover straps can be used in similar manner byreplaceably attaching to fixed straps, and this allows a wearer tocoordinate the shoe colors and styles. A wearer first selects aparticular cover strap, then the wearer removes by pulling away anyprior attached cover strap from the fixed strap. Then, the wearerlocates the particular cover strap so selected over and on top of thefixed strap, and concurrently locates end tabs of the cover strap in theformed space or tab inset, as the case may be for the particular type ofshoe sole. The adherence of the cover strap both by surface engagementwith the fixed strap, and also by location of the end tabs to eliminateexposed ends, gives the wearer a versatile, sleek and refined, stylish,not easily catchable, and sufficiently secure attachment for active wearof the shoe.

Various alternatives are possible in keeping with the foregoing, andthose skilled in the art will know and understand the multitude ofpossibilities. Certain alternatives include that the magnetic engagementof the cover strap to the fixed strap can be substituted for othernon-permanent attachment options. For example, the attachment can be byZipLoc™ type seams wherein each of the cover strap and the fixed strapinclude matching channels. Other possibilities include Velcro™, glues,attractant materials, zippers, and other present or future removablyattachable types of mechanisms. Magnetic engagement is believed to bepreferable because of the unitary, flush attachment appearance obtained.But, certain shoe styles and designs can use the attachment mechanism asornamentation to provide particular appearance, if and as desired.

Although the shoes depicted and described herein include straps thathold the foot to the shoe, any other upper design can also employ thesame cover interchangeable concepts. For example, a cap-toed shoe caninclude the same types of materials and a fixed cap can be covered by acover cap. The attachment via magnets, or otherwise, coupled with thetab indentations in the sole or parts of the sole, provide a favorableinterchangeable, yet durably attachable cover over whatever fixed upperpieces are involved. In fact, other types of straps, such as anklestraps, heel portions, lace ties and the like can be placed to coverfixed parts of uppers, in keeping with the interchangeably attachablecover portions and tabbing insets herein described.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention as set forthin the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are tobe regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent invention.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems and any element(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms“comprises, “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intendedto cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

1. A shoe, comprising: a sole forming tab indentations; a fixed strapsecured to the sole, having a first adhering surface; and a cover straphaving end tabs for locating in the tab indentations of the sole andhaving a second adhering surface engageable to the fixed strap on thefirst adhering surface.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:the fixed strap securely attached within the tab indentations; and theend tabs of the cover strap removably located within the tabindentations abutting the fixed strap.
 3. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising: the first adhering surface of the fixed strap removablyengaged to the second adhering surface of the cover strap.
 4. The systemof claim 3, wherein the end tabs of the cover strap are substantiallyconcealed within the tab indentations as so located.
 5. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the cover strap is substantially flush to the fixedstrap as so engaged.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the end tabs ofthe cover strap are substantially concealed within the tab indentationsas so located.
 7. A shoe, comprising: a top of a magnetically activematerial; a cover of a corresponding magnetically active materialconnected to the top; a tab extending from the cover; and a receptaclefor the tab, connected to the top.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, furthercomprising: a sole fixed to the top; wherein the sole forms thereceptacle.
 9. A shoe, comprising: a top having a first adherablesurface; a cover having a second adherable surface for adhering to thefirst adherable surface; a sole connected to the top; and a portion ofthe cover removably connectable to the sole.
 10. A shoe having aninterchangeable appearance, comprising: a sole with an indentation; anupper fixed to the sole; a tabbed piece fittable within the indentation.11. The shoe of claim 10, comprising a plurality of different ones ofthe tabbed piece.
 12. The shoe of claim 11, comprising: a secondindentation of the sole; and a portion of the tabbed piece fittablewithin the second indentation.
 13. A method of manufacturing a shoe,comprising the steps of: forming a sole with a formed space in a top ofthe sole; attaching a fixed upper to the sole securely in the formedspace; and providing a cover adherable to the fixed upper and having atab fittable within the formed space of the sole.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising the steps of: adhering the cover to thefixed upper; and locating the tab of the cover in the formed space ofthe sole.
 15. A kit, comprising: a shoe having an upper and a sole, thesole having a crevice and the upper including a fixed part secured tothe sole in the crevice; and a plurality of covers replaceablyattachable to the fixed part and removably at least partially insertableinto the crevice of the sole.
 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein thecrevice is formed in an edge of the sole.
 17. The kit of claim 15,wherein the crevice is formed in a top of the sole.
 18. The kit of claim15, wherein the sole has dual crevices formed on generally opposingsides of the sole, across a width of the sole.
 19. The kit of claim 18,wherein each of the plurality of covers includes dual tabs at extentsthereof and the each one of the dual tabs is locatable in respectiveones of the dual crevices.